--- title: HR 237. Suttles, John; commend collection: bills id: 2025-2026/hr237 cite_as: HR 237, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr237 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr237.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr237/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70235 date: 2025-02-11 status: passed corpus_version: bills-2026-09-13 license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice. up: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026.md previous: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr236.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr238.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 131 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr237.md?full=1 bill_number: HR 237 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: House bill_type: resolution status_date: 2025-02-11 last_action: House Read and Adopted sponsors: - Michelle Au - Miriam Paris - Segun Adeyina - Terry Cummings text_version: Introduced has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HR237/2025 upstream_id: 1965766 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - civil rights history - Georgia House resolutions - Selma marches - civic recognition --- # HR 237. Suttles, John; commend ## Text House Resolution 237 By: Representative Au of the 50th A RESOLUTION Recognizing and commending John Suttles; and for other purposes. WHEREAS, John Suttles courageously participated in the historic Bloody Sunday march in Selma, Alabama, on March 7, 1965, at just 16 years old, walking in pursuit of civil rights alongside hundreds of peaceful demonstrators; and WHEREAS, on the day of the march, he wore an army jacket given to him by his uncle, which is now preserved and displayed at a national interpretive center; and WHEREAS, the march, which saw 600 protesters of diverse backgrounds crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge on their way to Montgomery, stands as a defining moment in the Civil Rights Movement; and WHEREAS, despite being hospitalized as a result of the violence that took place on Bloody Sunday, John Suttles remained undeterred and took part in the subsequent marches from Selma to Montgomery, including the final march that began on March 21 and successfully reached Montgomery on March 24, 1965; and WHEREAS, the sacrifices of John Suttles and his fellow demonstrators contributed to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which was signed into law that August, securing legal protections for African American voters; and WHEREAS, he and his wife, Kay, now reside in Johns Creek, Georgia, where they continue to inspire future generations by encouraging civic engagement through voting, political participation, and public service; and WHEREAS, this distinguished gentleman has given inspiration to many through his high ideals, morals, and deep concern for his fellow citizens, and he possesses the vast wisdom which only comes through experience and the strength of character which is achieved through overcoming the many challenges of life; and WHEREAS, he is a person of magnanimous strengths with an unimpeachable reputation for integrity, intelligence, fairness, and kindness; and WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that the outstanding accomplishments of this remarkable individual be appropriately recognized. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body recognize and commend John Suttles for his bravery, courage, and perseverance in the face of violence as well as his contributions to racial justice and equality in the United States and extend best wishes for future health and happiness. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to John Suttles. ## Summaries written by Georgia Commons The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the resolution. Quote the text, not the summary. A Georgia House resolution commends John Suttles of Johns Creek for his role as a teenage participant in the 1965 Selma civil rights marches, including Bloody Sunday. ### Plain-language summary This is a commendation resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives, not a change to state law. It recognizes John Suttles, who at 16 years old took part in the March 7, 1965 Bloody Sunday march in Selma, Alabama, and was later hospitalized due to violence during the event. He went on to join subsequent marches, including the successful march that reached Montgomery on March 24, 1965. The resolution credits Suttles and other demonstrators with contributing to the passage of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965. It notes that he and his wife, Kay, now live in Johns Creek, Georgia, and encourages his civic legacy. The House formally commends him for his bravery and directs the Clerk of the House to provide him a copy of the resolution. ### What it does - Formally recognizes and commends John Suttles for his participation in the 1965 Selma civil rights marches. - States the House's view that his actions contributed to the passage of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965. - Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to John Suttles. - Extends the House's best wishes to Suttles for future health and happiness. ### Who it affects The resolution directly honors John Suttles, a Johns Creek, Georgia resident, and his wife Kay. It does not create legal obligations for the public, businesses, or government agencies beyond the Clerk of the House preparing a commemorative copy. ### Why it matters The resolution carries no legal effect or funding, but it is an official public statement by the Georgia House recognizing Suttles's role in the civil rights movement, giving formal state acknowledgment to his personal history and its connection to voting rights history. ### Key provisions - The whereas clauses recount Suttles's participation in the March 7, 1965 Bloody Sunday march at age 16 and his hospitalization from resulting violence. - The whereas clauses describe his participation in the later successful Selma-to-Montgomery march that concluded March 24, 1965. - The resolved clause formally commends Suttles for his bravery, courage, and contributions to racial justice and equality. - The final clause directs the Clerk of the House to make a copy of the resolution available for distribution to Suttles. ## Status - Status: Passed (2025-02-11) - Last action: House Read and Adopted (2025-02-11) - Sponsors: Michelle Au, Miriam Paris, Segun Adeyina, Terry Cummings - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70235 > The history, votes, and amendments (131 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr237.md?full=1